Managed aquifer recharge suitability—Regional screening and case studies in Jordan and Lebanon

The U.S. Geological Survey, at the request of the U.S. Agency for International Development, led a 5-year regional project to develop and apply methods for water availability and suitability mapping for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in the Middle East and North Africa region. A regional model of surface runoff for the period from 1984 to 2015 was developed to characterize water availability using remote sensing data on climate, vegetation, and topography in Jordan, Lebanon, and surrounding areas. Surface runoff was accumulated to characterize potential streamflow available for MAR and these data were combined with land surface slope to prepare a regional screening map of MAR suitability, illustrating suitability mapping concepts and methods. The application of the methods is demonstrated by the evaluation of water availability and suitability for potential MAR in study areas in Jordan and Lebanon. Locations suitable for MAR are present in both Jordan and Lebanon, but limitations exist in both countries, related primarily to water availability in Jordan and land areas of suitable terrain in Lebanon. An additional feasibility study including field investigations would likely provide decision makers with essential information for further development of the use of MAR in Jordan, Lebanon, and the region.